Our guild is looking at starting up a minecraft server and are likely going to use FTB as a base, though we will probably not enable everything in the pack. What I'm wondering is if there is some good server tools built in or something compatible that can be used beside this modpack. I know a lot of the server tools used to be bukkit based, but have they been redone to be forge compatible? In particular we are thinking about resetting spawn, block protection, warps and player permissions.

Bukkit and Forge are not going to play nice together. There's also drama between them at the moment so I wouldn't expect compatibility any time soon. I would check the server support section of the FTB forums to see what other people are using now. I'm not to familiar with Forge based server plugins.

Ya, I went and looked at some vids of Redpower 2. I can see why ppl are so eager to see it released. It looks pretty awesome. Also hope to see them update the pack also. It's why I've not really built anything. Just goofing around with the mods.

Ya, I went and looked at some vids of Redpower 2. I can see why ppl are so eager to see it released. It looks pretty awesome. Also hope to see them update the pack also. It's why I've not really built anything. Just goofing around with the mods.

May not break the world but aren't things like marble and volcanoes being added? I have explored A LOT of area in my world I'm playing around in and would hate to go even farther to gather marble and collect lava.

Oh, and another question.... because I'm a noob to most of these mods, but there is a machine called a Crystallizer that I can use to make slimeballs (need sticky pistons for my doors). I found the recipe in NEI (cauldron, stick, string) but the machine doesn't do anything. I'm guessing a power source of some kind is needed? If so, what kind?

May not break the world but aren't things like marble and volcanoes being added? I have explored A LOT of area in my world I'm playing around in and would hate to go even farther to gather marble and collect lava.

Oh, and another question.... because I'm a noob to most of these mods, but there is a machine called a Crystallizer that I can use to make slimeballs (need sticky pistons for my doors). I found the recipe in NEI (cauldron, stick, string) but the machine doesn't do anything. I'm guessing a power source of some kind is needed? If so, what kind?

It's part of Factorization. It's actually the end tier machine for creating 3x from ore. You'll need a heater block next to it, connected to a battery, lead wire, that solar heater, a bunch of mirrors.

It works well though, I've used it to create slimeballs too. Check out a spotlight for factorization, it's far too much to fully explain.

Also, Redpower does do worldgen for marble and volcanoes and such, but I wouldn't hold my breath for it's release soon. Apparently there are more bugs popping up and there is still not ETA. I'm getting a little sick of it myself, but not a lot I can do. I expect FTB to update to 1.4.5 with or without RP2.

Are bees broken? I try to use the guides to breeding and when I try to get to the noble branch (by breeding cultivated princess with common drone), I always either get cultivated or common bees or, in rare event, majestic-noble bee (with majestic being dominant), which is really strange because majestic is made by breeding noble princess with cultivated drone. Also, I never get Diligent bees from industrial branch (process is same as with noble branch).

Otherwise, bee breeding is something I could really get into, if it made sense just like guides.

Are bees broken? I try to use the guides to breeding and when I try to get to the noble branch (by breeding cultivated princess with common drone), I always either get cultivated or common bees or, in rare event, majestic-noble bee (with majestic being dominant), which is really strange because majestic is made by breeding noble princess with cultivated drone. Also, I never get Diligent bees from industrial branch (process is same as with noble branch).

Otherwise, bee breeding is something I could really get into, if it made sense just like guides.

I'm really not an expert at bees at all. I will say that I play FTB on a server with some people that do and they've had success breeding just about everything.

My only suggestion would be to make sure that when you get your common bees that they are pure common and not hybrids before advancing to the next stage.

I'm really not an expert at bees at all. I will say that I play FTB on a server with some people that do and they've had success breeding just about everything.

My only suggestion would be to make sure that when you get your common bees that they are pure common and not hybrids before advancing to the next stage.

Of course I am using purebreeds just to be sure, only problem is that honey is pretty rare so I dont know about how many of them are left. Looks like I will have to stop with crossbreeding for a moment and focus on honey production.

Of course I am using purebreeds just to be sure, only problem is that honey is pretty rare so I dont know about how many of them are left. Looks like I will have to stop with crossbreeding for a moment and focus on honey production.

My advice for honey is to set up a loop that pumps stuff out of the apiary, separates the bees and puts them back in and then sends the honeycombs back to a chest.

I left one running for a day and have 4 stacks. You'll need a wooden pipe with a redstone engine on the side of the apiary, then loop it back up top, put a apiarists pipe on the top of the apiary and send the bees into the apiary and have the honeycomb go to the side. Put a chest there and you're good.

Just use simple bees for that. A couple of meadows or forest. You'll have lots in no time.

My advice for honey is to set up a loop that pumps stuff out of the apiary, separates the bees and puts them back in and then sends the honeycombs back to a chest.

I left one running for a day and have 4 stacks. You'll need a wooden pipe with a redstone engine on the side of the apiary, then loop it back up top, put a apiarists pipe on the top of the apiary and send the bees into the apiary and have the honeycomb go to the side. Put a chest there and you're good.

Just use simple bees for that. A couple of meadows or forest. You'll have lots in no time.

I found even better way to farm honey combs - frames.

There was no mention of them on wiki, so I was pretty surprised when I discovered them. Basicaly they are for those 3 squares in apiary and while in there, they massively increase honey comb output (from what I gather, just like before a patch that nerfed it).

There was no mention of them on wiki, so I was pretty surprised when I discovered them. Basicaly they are for those 3 squares in apiary and while in there, they massively increase honey comb output (from what I gather, just like before a patch that nerfed it).

Yes! You can actually buy Proven Frames from some villagers with emeralds. It's the only way to get them AFAIK. They give the max output. If you find someone that sells them, buy a lot